Luke 6:46

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

When we invite people to become part of the Kingdom of God, we usually mention Christ’s salvation and His lordship. They need faith that Jesus is the savior. But they also need the faith to obey Him. Lordship means just that; Jesus is the Lord, or “boss” so to speak, of His followers. We are calling the nations to a purposeful obedience that brings spiritual transformation to both the individual and the communities that they affect.

Pray that this very month, the Japanese in Berlin will learn that Jesus is far more than a good man, but the true lord of all.

Japanese Buddhists in Berlin

by WK

Hans and Koichi stood near the Brandenburg Gate as a cheering crowd celebrated. Twenty years ago, in 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down. For a moment the two teenage boys stood in silence. Koichi then asked, “Didn’t your parents live in the east?” Hans replied, “Yes, until they escaped to the west.” Koichi, who was from Japan, gave his German friend a puzzled look. He then asked, “Why did they flee from the east?” “Because we weren’t allowed to worship Jesus freely.” Hans saw Koichi’s puzzled look and sensed that he’d never heard of Jesus Christ. It’s now 20 years later, and most of the Japanese in Berlin are still in Koichi’s spiritual condition.

Since 1989 many Japanese companies have opened offices in Berlin. Trade between the two countries has boomed since the reunification of Germany in 1989. Many Japanese now live and work in Berlin. Entire families now live in that city and their children go to German schools. Many of these children have never heard of Jesus Christ. Like their countrymen in Japan, many Japanese in Germany are Buddhists, at least nominally. Materialism is also a problem with this people group.

Pray that God would lead Christian teachers to work at German schools that enroll many Japanese students. Ask God to open doors for such teachers to witness to these Japanese students and their parents. Pray that God would break the hold that Buddhism and materialism have on this people group.